First Intact Skull of Ancient Mediterranean Worm Lizard Found in Spain
Posted on June 7, 2014
Researchers have found the first intact skull of an ancient Mediterranean worm lizard (amphisbaenian) in Spain. The fossilized skull was discovered by Arnau Bolet from Institut Catala de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona) and colleagues. The skull is 11.6 million years old. A virtual model of the holotype of the skull is pictured above.
The researchers have determined the skull belongs to a previously unknown extinct species of worm lizard, Blanus mendezi. The skull is 11.3 mm in length and has a maximum width of 5.8 mm. Blanus mendezi had a total of twenty teeth (seven premaxillary, five maxillary, eight dentary) with robust tooth-bearing bones.
Dr. Bolet says a statement, "The use of CT-scan techniques applied to this superbly preserved worm lizard fossil skull has allowed an unprecedentedly detailed description for an early member of the family, providing insights into the evolutionary history of this poorly known group of reptiles."
A research paper on the ancient worm lizard skull can be found here in PLoS One.
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